[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48417-48418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23967]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 175 / Thursday, September 10, 1998 /
Rules and Regulations
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-CE-24-AD; Amendment 39-10744; AD 98-19-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Model S10
Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Model S10 sailplanes.
This AD requires replacing the O-ring that is installed in the mounting
part of the pitot tube (in the propeller dome) with one of improved
design. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
pitot tube O-ring caused by an ineffective design, which could result
in the pitot tube falling out and the sailplane pilot losing airspeed
indications.
DATES: Effective September 25, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 25, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before October 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket 93-CE-24-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-W-1000 Berlin 65,
Federal Republic of Germany. This information may also be examined at
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-CE-24-AD, Room
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain Stemme Model S10 sailplanes. The LBA advises that the original
design O-ring that is installed in the mounting part of the pitot tube
(in the propeller dome) could fail. The softness of these O-rings makes
this part subject to failure due to propeller vibration.
Failure of this O-ring could result in the pitot tube falling out
and the sailplane pilot losing airspeed indications.
Relevant Service Information
Stemme has issued Technical Bulletin No. A31-10-003, dated February
7, 1992, which specifies procedures for replacing the O-ring that is
installed in the mounting part of the pitot tube (in the propeller
dome) with one of improved design.
The LBA classified this technical bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD 92-197 Stemme, dated April 9, 1992, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
The FAA's Determination
This sailplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Cost Impact
None of the Stemme Model S10 sailplanes affected by this action are
on the U.S. Register. All sailplanes included in the applicability of
this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.
However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to ensure that the
unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject
sailplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
Should an affected sailplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register, accomplishment of the required modification would take
approximately 1 workhour at an average labor charge of $60 per
workhour. Parts cost approximately $1 per sailplane. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $61 per sailplane
that would become registered in the United States.
The Effective Date of This AD
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications
[[Page 48418]]
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 93-CE-24-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated,
will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
98-19-01 Stemme Gmbh & Co. KG: Amendment 39-10744; Docket No. 93-
CE-24-AD.
Applicability: Model S10 sailplanes, serial numbers 10-01
through 10-35, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For sailplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required prior to further flight after the effective
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent failure of the pitot tube O-ring caused by an
ineffective design, which could result in the pitot tube falling out
and the sailplane pilot losing airspeed indications, accomplish the
following:
(a) Replace the O-ring that is installed in the mounting part of
the pitot tube (in the propeller dome) with one of improved design,
part number 10 RV-PD28. Accomplish this replacement in accordance
with Stemme Technical Bulletin No. A31-10-003, dated February 7,
1992.
Note 2: Stemme Technical Bulletin No. A31-10-003, dated February
7, 1992, specifies repetitively greasing the replacement O-ring with
silicone at 3-month intervals. This is not a requirement of this AD
since it is considered regular maintenance for the sailplane
operator.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the sailplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Stemme
Technical Bulletin No. A31-10-003, dated February 7, 1992, should be
directed to Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-W-1000
Berlin 65, Federal Republic of Germany. This service information may
be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Stemme Technical Bulletin No. A31-10-003, dated
February 7, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved by
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Stemme GmbH &
Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-W-1000 Berlin 65, Federal Republic
of Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 92-197
Stemme, dated April 9, 1992.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 25, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on August 28, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23967 Filed 9-9-98; 8:45 am]
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